Management system, management apparatus, management method, and management program

ABSTRACT

A management system includes: a reader that reads item information related to a target item from the target item; an identifier that identifies an authorized storage location where the target item is required to be stored, on the basis of the item information read by the reader; an acquisitor that acquires a reading location where the item information has been read; and a determiner that compares the authorized storage location with the reading location and determines whether or not the target item is stored in the authorized storage location.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-174454 filed on Sep. 7, 2016 andNo. 2016-180261 filed on Sep. 15, 2016, including description, claims,drawings, and abstract the entire disclosures are incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technological Field

The present disclosure relates to a technology for managing items, andparticularly relates to a technology for managing item storagelocations.

Description of the Related Art

QR codes (registered trademark) are used to manage items. A QR code isassociated with, for example, the location and date and time ofmanufacture of an item. A manager can check item information by readinga QR code attached to a product with a reading terminal such as abarcode reader.

In terms of the technology for managing items, JP 2008-9656 A disclosesa used good management apparatus that can manage used goods with QRcodes. The used good management apparatus associates an image obtainedby shooting a used good with the receipt time, receipt location, and thelike of the used good, records the image in a server, and also issuesthe information of them as a QR code. The manager can check the state ofthe used good at the time of receipt, the receipt time of the used good,the receipt location of the used good, and the like by reading the QRcode attached to the used good with a reading terminal.

A mold for molding a resin part is cited as another example of amanagement target item. In the manufacturing industry, a managementcompany lends a mold to a subcontractor. A person in charge of thesubcontractor reads a QR code attached to the mold with a readingterminal and transmits the reading result to the management company;accordingly, the management company can check the state of the mold.

In recent years, there has been a problem that the subcontractor movesthe mold to a storage location where the management cost is lower incontradiction to a contract with the management company. If the mold isstored under a bad environment, the dimension changes, rust forms on themold, and the mold is deteriorated. Hence, the mold needs to be storedunder an appropriate environment. Therefore, a management system isdesired which can manage the storage of the mold in an authorizedstorage location.

A product is cited as a stilt another example of a management targetitem. If the product is stored in a location different from anauthorized storage location, the distance to a location to which theproduct is delivered is increased. Accordingly, additional time and costare required. Therefore, a technology for managing the storage of theproduct in the authorized storage location is desired.

A product such as a mold part is cited as still another example of amanagement target item. A supplier checks item information obtained byreading a QR code to allow a manager of the product to check the stateof the product. At this point in time, it is insufficient to simplycheck the item information to check the state of a flaw and the like.Hence, a management system is desired which can obtain information forchecking the state of an item such as a product in more detail.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentionedproblems. An object thereof in an aspect is to provide a managementsystem. An object in another aspect is to provide a managementapparatus. An object in still another aspect is to provide a managementmethod. An object in still another aspect is to provide a managementprogram.

Moreover, an object in an aspect is to provide a management system. Anobject in another aspect is to provide a management apparatus. An objectin still another aspect is to provide an item management method. Anobject in still another aspect is to provide an item management program.

To achieve at least one of the abovementioned objects, according to anaspect of the present invention, a management system reflecting oneaspect of the present invention comprises: a reader that reads iteminformation related to a target item from the target item; an identifierthat identifies an authorized storage location where the target item isrequired to be stored, on the basis of the item information read by thereader; an acquisitor that acquires a reading location where the iteminformation has been read; and a determiner that compares the authorizedstorage location with the reading location and determines whether or notthe target item is stored in the authorized storage location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The advantages and features provided by one or more embodiments of theinvention will become more fully understood from the detaileddescription given hereinbelow and the appended drawings which are givenby way of illustration only; and thus are not intended as a definitionof the limits of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the system configurationof a management system according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functionalconfiguration of the management system according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a database specifying an item storagelocation according to item identification information in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen presentingdetermination results of a determiner in the first embodiment;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of a details screenof a determination result of the determiner in the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the floor of data between areading terminal, a server, and a communication terminal in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart presenting part of processes executed by thereading terminal in the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart presenting part of processes executed by theserver in the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the main hardware configurationof the management system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the system configurationof a management system according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating how an operator on a site reads a QRcode with a reading terminal in the second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functionalconfiguration of a reading terminal according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating how a shooting mode of a camera isswitched between before and after the detection of a QR code in thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating how a reading result of the readingterminal according to the second embodiment is transmitted to a server;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of adatabase in the second embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification screen ofa communication terminal according to the second embodiment;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams illustrating an example of a detailsscreen of a reading result of the reading terminal according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart presenting part of processes executed by thereading terminal according to the second embodiment; and

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating the main hardware configurationof the management system according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of theinvention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

First Embodiment

In the following description, the same reference numerals are assignedto the same parts and constituent elements. Their names and functionsare also the same. Therefore, their detailed descriptions are notrepeated. The embodiments and modifications described below may beselectively combined as appropriate.

[Management System 500]

The system configuration of a management system 500 is described withreference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of thesystem configuration of the management system 500.

The management system 500 manages an item 51 and the like. For example,a product, a part, a mold, and other thing are cited as the item 51targeted for management. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the management system500 is configured including, for example, an input terminal 50, areading terminal 100, a server 200, and communication terminals 300.

The input terminal 50 accepts an input of item information related tothe item 51 targeted for management. As an example, a manager can inputthe identification number of the item 51, an authorized storage locationwhere the item 51 needs to be stored, the date and time of manufactureof the item 51, the location of manufacture of the item 51, and thelike, as the item information, into the input terminal 50. When theinput of the item information is completed, the input terminal 50transmits the inputted item information to the server 200 as illustratedin step S1.

When receiving the inputted item information from the input terminal,the server 200 stores the item information, and encodes the iteminformation. The item information may be encoded as a two-dimensionalbarcode such as a QR code, or may be encoded as a one-dimensionalbarcode. In the example of FIG. 1, the server 200 encodes the inputteditem information as a QR code. The issued QR code is transmitted to theinput terminal 50 as illustrated in step S2.

When receiving the QR code from the server 200, the input terminal 50prints out the QR code. The manager attaches the QR code 52 printed outto the item 51. The item 51 is then transmitted to a site (for example,a lending destination or a delivery destination).

The manager checks whether or not the transmitted item 51 is stored inthe authorized storage location, regularly such as at the time ofstocktaking. More specifically, an operator on the site reads the QRcode 52 with the reading terminal 100. The reading terminal 100 is, forexample, a barcode reader, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or othermobile terminal including a reading function of a QR code. The readingterminal 100 decodes the read QR code 52 to read the item informationrelated to the item 51.

The reading terminal 100 acquires a reading location where the QR code52 was read concurrently with the reading of the QR code 52. As anexample, a position detection device such as a GPS module 106 (refer toFIG. 9) described below is mounted in the reading terminal 100, whichacquires the current position at the time of the reading of the QR code52 as the reading location from the position detection device. Asillustrated in step S4, the reading terminal 100 transmits, to theserver 200, the reading location acquired from the position detectiondevice and the item information obtained from the QR code 52.

The server 200 identifies the authorized storage location of the item 51on the basis of the item information received from the reading terminal100. The server 200 then compares the authorized storage location of theitem 51 with the reading location received from the reading terminal100, and determines whether or not the item 51 is stored in theauthorized storage location. As illustrated in step S5, thedetermination result is transmitted to the communication terminal 300 ofa person in charge on the site and the communication terminal 300 of themanager in a remote location. Consequently, the person in charge on thesite and the manager can check whether or not the item 51 is stored inthe authorized storage location.

In the above description, the example Where the item information relatedto the item 51 is read from the QR code 52 is described. However, theitem information related to the item 51 may be read from a tag such asradio frequency identifier (RFID). The tag holds the item informationrelated to the item 51. The reading terminal 100 reads the iteminformation from the tag by near-field communication using theelectromagnetic field or radio waves.

Moreover, in FIG. 1, the example where the management system 500 isconfigured including the reading terminal 100, the input terminal 50,the server 200, and the communication terminals 300 is described.However, the management system 500 may include at least one of thereading terminal 100 and the server 200. Moreover, a part or all of thefunctions of the reading terminal 100 may be mounted in the server 200and the communication terminal 300. Alternatively, a part or all of thefunctions of the server 200 may be mounted in the reading terminal 100and the communication terminal 300. In other words, one of the readingterminal 100 and the server 200 may be configured as the managementapparatus, or the reading terminal 100 and the server 200 may beintegrally configured as the management apparatus.

Moreover, FIG. 1 illustrates the example where the management system 500is configured including one reading terminal 100. However, themanagement system 500 may be configured including a plurality of thereading terminals 100. FIG. 1 illustrates the example where themanagement system 500 is configured including one server 200. However,the management system 500 may be configured including a plurality of theservers 200. FIG. 1 illustrates the example where the management system500 is configured including a plurality of the communication terminals300. However, the management system 500 may be configured including onecommunication terminal 300.

[The Functional Configuration of the Management System 500]

The functions of the management system 500 are described with referenceto FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functionalconfiguration of the management system 500. As illustrated in FIG. 2,the management system 500 includes the reading terminal 100 and theserver 200.

The reading terminal 100 includes a reader 150 and an acquisitor 152 asthe functional configuration. The server 200 includes an identifier 250,a determiner 252, and a notifier 254 as the functional configuration.The functional configurations of the reading terminal 100 and the server200 are sequentially described below.

At least part of the reader 150 and the acquisitor 152 may be mounted inthe server 200. Moreover, at least part of the identifier 250, thedeterminer 252, and the notifier 254 may be mounted in the readingterminal 100.

(Reader 150)

The reader 150 detects a QR code from an image obtained by shooting anitem targeted for management (hereinafter also referred to as “targetitem”), and decodes the encoded QR code to read item information. Amethod for reading a QR code with the reader 150 is described below.

The QR code has a rectangular shape. Patterns for position detectioncalled finder patterns are placed at three corners of the QR code.Moreover, square cells are arranged in a grid in the QR code. Each cellis represented in black or white.

The reader 150 detects the finder patterns of the QR code to detect theQR code from the image on the basis of the positional relationship ofthe three finder patterns. The reader 150 converts, into numbers, thearrangement pattern of the black and white cells in the detected QRcode, and accordingly reads the item information from the QR code. Theitem information includes, for example, the identification number of theitem, the authorized storage location of the item, the date and time ofmanufacture of the item, and the location of manufacture of the item.The read item information is transmitted to the server 200.

In the above description, the example where the reader 150 reads iteminformation from a QR code is described. However, the reader 150 mayread item information from some other two-dimensional barcode.Alternatively, the reader 150 may read item information from aone-dimensional barcode. Alternatively, the reader 150 may read iteminformation from a tag such as RFID.

(Acquisitor 152)

The acquisitor 152 acquires the current position of the reading terminal100 on the basis of the fact that reader 150 has read item information.A method where the acquisitor 152 acquires the current position isdescribed below.

Various methods can be employed as the method where the acquisitor 152acquires the current position. In an aspect, the acquisitor 152 acquiresthe current position of the reading terminal 100 on the basis ofsatellite positioning signals received by the GPS module 106 (refer toFIG. 9) described below. The reading location is expressed in, forexample, latitude and longitude.

In another aspect, the acquisitor 152 acquires the current position ofthe reading terminal 100 on the basis of a signal received from acommunication device such as an antenna of a base station or an accesspoint of wireless fidelity (WiFi). More specifically, the signaltransmitted from the communication device includes an identifier (forexample, service set identifier: SSID) of the communication device. Thereading terminal 100 holds in advance communication device informationthat specifies an installation location of each communication device.The reading terminal 100 identifies an installation locationcorresponding to an identifier received from the communication device,among the installation locations specified in the communication deviceinformation. On the other hand, the reading terminal 100 calculates adistance from the installation location on the basis of the strength ofthe received signal of the communication device. The acquisitor 152acquires the current position of the reading terminal 100 on the basisof the installation location of the communication device and thedistance from the installation location.

The current position acquired at the time of the reading of the QR codeis regarded as the reading location of the item information. Theacquired reading location is transmitted to the server 200.

(Identifier 250)

The identifier 250 identifies the authorized storage location of thetarget item on the basis of the item information read by the reader 150.A method for identifying a storage location of an item is describedbelow with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating adatabase 224 that specifies item storage locations according to itemidentification information.

The item identification information is expressed as, for example, anitem identification (ID). An item name, an authorized storage location,and a lot number are associated on an item ID basis in the database 224.As an example, the storage location specified in the database 224 isexpressed in latitude and longitude. The storage location may beexpressed as a point or an area.

The identifier 250 identifies an item ID that agrees with an item IDincluded in the item identification read by the reader 150, from theitem IDs specified in the database 224. The identifier 250 identifies astorage location associated with the identified item ID as an authorizedstorage location of the target item in the database 224. The identifiedauthorized storage location is outputted to the determiner 252.

The method for identifying an authorized storage location is not limitedto the above-mentioned example. For example, a QR code itself mayspecify location information indicating an authorized storage locationof an item. In other words, an authorized storage location is includedin item information read from a QR code. In this case, the identifier250 identifies a storage location included in item information receivedfrom the reading terminal 100 as an authorized storage location of atarget item.

(Determiner 252)

The determiner 252 compares the authorized storage location identifiedby the identifier 250 with the reading location of the QR code acquiredby the acquisitor 152, and determines whether or not the target item isstored in the authorized storage location. The determination method isdescribed below.

The determiner 252 calculates a distance between the authorized storagelocation identified by the identifier 250 and the reading location ofthe QR code acquired by the acquisitor 152. If the distance between theauthorized storage location and the reading location is within apredetermined threshold (for example, 100), the determiner 252determines that the target item is stored in the authorized storagelocation. On the other hand, if the distance between the authorizedstorage location and the reading location exceeds the predeterminedthreshold (for example, 100 m), the determiner 252 determines that thetarget item is not stored in the authorized storage location.

In this manner, the determiner 252 determines whether or not the targetitem is stored in the authorized storage location according to whetheror not the reading location is a certain distance away from theauthorized storage location. The determination result of the determiner252 is outputted to the notifier 254.

(Notifier 254)

The notifier 254 notifies a plurality of the communication terminals 300(refer to FIG. 1) of the determination result of the determiner 252. Thenotifier 254 preferably changes a notification destination of thedetermination result according to the determination result of thedeterminer 252. The relationship between the determination result andits notification destination may be specified in advance, or freely set.

As an example, if the target item is stored in the authorized storagelocation, the notifier 254 transmits the determination result of thedeterminer 252 to the communication terminal 300 of the person in chargeon the site (refer to FIG. 1), and does not transmit the determinationresult to the communication terminal 300 of the manager (refer to FIG.1). On the other hand, if the target item is not stored in theauthorized storage location, the notifier 254 transmits thedetermination result of the determiner 252 to both of the communicationterminal 300 of the person in charge on the site and the communicationterminal 300 of the manager. At this point in time, the notifier 254notifies the communication terminals 300 of an abnormality in thestorage location of the target item.

The content of the notification of the notifier 254 to the communicationterminals 300 is not limited to the determination result of thedeterminer 252. As an example, the notifier 254 notifies thecommunication terminals 300 of the distance between the authorizedstorage location and the reading location of the QR code. Consequently;the manager and the person in charge on the site can easily grasp howfar a position where the target item is stored is from the authorizedstorage location.

In addition, the notifier 254 may notify the communication terminals 300of a map image presenting the authorized storage location and thereading location. The map image may be acquired from a mapping site suchas Google Maps (registered trademark), or may be stored in advance inthe communication terminals 300. Every location in the map image isassociated with location information such as latitude and longitude. Thereading terminal 100 places an icon indicating an authorized storagelocation at a position on the map image corresponding to the authorizedstorage location, and places an icon indicating a reading location at aposition on the map image corresponding to the reading location. Thenotifier 254 then transmits the map image to the communication terminal300. Consequently, the manager and the person in charge on the site canvisually check the reading location of the QR code and the authorizedstorage location of the target item.

In addition, the notifier 254 may notify the communication terminals 300of area information indicating the authorized storage location and areainformation indicating the reading location of the QR code. For example,notice of an address and a facility name is given as the areainformation. Consequently, the manager and the person in charge on thesite can easily grasp the area information of the reading location ofthe QR code, and the area information of the authorized storage locationof the target item.

[A notification Screen of the Communication Terminal 300]

A notification screen of the communication terminal 300 is describedwith reference to FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustratingan example of a screen presenting determination results of thedeterminer 252.

When receiving determination results of the determiner 252 from theserver 200, the communication terminal 300 displays a determinationresult of each item as a list 20 on a display 305. The list 20 containsan item field 21 indicating the name of an item targeted for management,a date and time field 22 indicating the date and time of a determinationof the determiner 252, a result field 23 indicating a determinationresult of the determiner 252, a distance field 24 indicting the distancebetween the storage location and the reading location, and a buttonfield 25. The display of the list 20 allows the manager or the person incharge on the site to easily grasp the determination result of eachitem.

For example, the determination result presented in the result field 23is expressed as “OK” if a target product is stored in its authorizedstorage location, and as “NG” if a target product is not stored in itsauthorized storage location. Preferably, the communication terminal 300displays an entry of the determination result “NO” in a different formfrom an entry of the determination result “OK.”

The manager or person in charge on the site presses any in the buttonfield 25 of the list 20 and accordingly can check a determination resultof a corresponding item in detail. FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagramsillustrating an example of a details screen of a determination result ofthe determiner 252.

For example, the manger presses a check button 26 to check adetermination result of an item “C” whose determination result is “NG”.As a result, a details screen of the determination result of the item“C” is displayed on the display 305 as illustrated in FIG. 5A. Thedetails screen includes a map image 30, area information 36A of areading location of a QR code, and area information 36B of an authorizedstorage location of the item “C”.

An icon 31 represents the reading location of the QR code, and an icon32 the authorized storage location of the item “C” on the map image 30.Moreover, a distance image 33 indicating a distance between the readinglocation of the QR code and the authorized storage location of the item“C” is displayed on the map image 30. Furthermore, a warning 35indicating that the item “C” has been moved from the authorized storagelocation is displayed on the map image 30.

The area information 36A includes an address 37A of the reading locationof the QR code and a facility name 38A of the reading location. The areainformation 36B includes an address 37B of the authorized storagelocation of the item “C” and a facility name 38B of the storagelocation.

As another example, the manager presses a check button 27 to check adetermination result of an item “D” whose determination result is “OK”.As a result, a details screen of the determination result of the item“D” is displayed on the display 305 as illustrated in FIG. 5B. Thedetails screen includes a map image 40, area information 46A of thereading location of the QR code, and area information 46B of anauthorized location of the item “D”.

An icon 41 represents the reading location of the QR code and an icon 42the authorized storage location of the item “D” on the map image 40.Moreover, a distance image 43 indicating a distance between the readinglocation of the QR code and the authorized storage location of the item“D” is displayed on the map image 40. Furthermore, a message 45indicating that the item “D” is stored in the authorized storagelocation is displayed on the map image 40.

The area information 46A includes an address 47A of the reading locationof the QR code and a facility name 48A of the reading location. The areainformation 46B includes an address 47B of the authorized storagelocation of the item “D” and a facility name 48B of the storagelocation.

[Data Flow]

The flow of data in the management system 500 is described withreference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flowof data between the reading terminal 100, the server 200, and thecommunication terminal 300.

In step S10, the reading terminal 100 detects a QR code from an imageobtained by shooting a target item, decodes the QR code, and accordinglyreads item information related to the target item.

In step S12, the reading terminal 100 acquires the current position ofthe reading terminal 100 on the basis of a fact that the QR code hasbeen read. The current position is regarded as the reading location ofthe QR code.

In step S14, the reading terminal 100 transmits, to the server 200, theitem information read in step S10 and the reading location acquired instep S12.

In step S20, the server 200 identities an authorized storage locationwhere the target item needs to be stored, on the basis of the iteminformation received from the reading terminal 100. The method foridentifying an authorized storage location is as described in FIG. 3.Therefore, its description is not repeated.

In step S22, the server 200 compares the authorized storage locationidentified in step S20 with the reading location received from thereading terminal 100, and determines whether or not the target item isstored in the authorized storage location. More specifically, the server200 calculates the distance between the authorized storage location andthe reading location. The server 200 determines that the target item isstored in the authorized storage location if the calculated distance iswithin the predetermined threshold (for example, 100). On the otherhand, the server 200 determines that the target item is not stored inthe authorized storage location if the calculated distance is longerthan the predetermined threshold (for example, 100 m).

In step S30, the server 200 transmits the determination result of stepS22 to the communication terminal 300.

In step S34, the communication terminal 300 gives notice of thedetermination result received from the server 200. Notice of thedetermination result is given by any given method. As an example, amessage presenting the determination result, or the like is displayed onthe communication terminal 300. Alternatively, the determination resultis issued as voice from the communication terminal 300. Consequently,the person in charge on the site (refer to FIG. 1) and the manager(refer to FIG. 1) can check whether or not the target item is stored inthe authorized storage location.

[The Control Structure of the Reading Terminal 100]

The control structure of the reading terminal 100 is described withreference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart presenting part of processesexecuted by the reading terminal 100. A control device 101 (refer toFIG. 9) of the reading terminal 100 executes a program to achieve theprocesses of FIG. 7. In another aspect, a part or all of the processesillustrated in FIG. 7 may be executed by a circuit element or otherhardware.

In step S110, the control device 101 determines whether or not a QR codereading application has been started. If determining that the QR codereading application has been started (YES in step S110), the controldevice 101 switches the control to step S112. If not (NC) in step S110),the control device 101 reexecutes the process of step S110.

In step S112, the control device 101 acquires an image from a camera 105(refer to FIG. 9) described below.

In step S120, the control device 101, as the above-mentioned reader 150(refer to FIG. 2), determines whether or not a QR code has been detectedfrom the image acquired in step S112. If determining that a QR code hasbeen detected from the image acquired in step S112 (YES in step S120),the control device 101 switches the control to step S122. If not (NO instep S120), the control device 101 returns the control to step S112.

In step S122, the control device 101, as the above-mentioned reader 150,decodes the QR code detected in step S120 to read item informationrelated to the target item.

In step S130, the control device 101 determines whether or not the iteminformation has been read. If determining that the item information hasbeen read (YES in step S130), the control device 101 switches thecontrol to step S134. If not (NO in step S130), the control device 101switches the control to step S132.

In step S132, the control device 101 causes the reading terminal 100 todisplay an error screen indicating that it has failed to read the QRcode.

In step S134, the control device 101, as the above-mentioned acquisitor152 (refer to FIG. 2), acquires the current position of the readingterminal 100. The method for acquiring the current position is asdescribed above. Therefore, its description is not repeated. Theacquired current position is regarded as the reading location of the QRcode.

In step S136, the control device 101 transmits, to the server 200, theitem information read in step S122, and the reading location acquired instep S134.

[The Control Structure of the Server 200]

The control structure of the server 200 is described with reference toFIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart presenting part of processes executed bythe server 200. A control device 201 (refer to FIG. 9) of the server 200executes a program to achieve the processes of FIG. 8. In anotheraspect, a part or all of the processes illustrated in FIG. 8 may beexecuted by the reading terminal 100, the communication terminal 300, acircuit element, or other hardware.

In step S210, the control device 201 determines whether or not the iteminformation read from the QR code and the reading location of the QRcode have been received from the reading terminal 100. If determiningthat the item information and the reading location have been receivedfrom the reading terminal 100 (YES in step S210), the control device 201switches the control to step S212. If not (NO in step S210), the controldevice 201 reexecutes the process of step S210.

In step S212, the control device 201, as the above-mentioned identifier250 (refer to FIG. 2), identifies an authorized storage location of thetarget item. The method for identifying an authorized storage locationis as described in FIG. 3. Therefore, its description is not repeated.

In step S214, the control device 201 decides on a notificationdestination of a determination result of step S220 described below. Asan example, the control device 201 decides on a notification destinationof a determination result according to the kind of item. Therelationship between the kind of item and the notification destinationof the determination result may be specified in advance, or freely set.

In step S216, the control device 201 identifies area information of thereading location of the QR code and area information of the authorizedstorage location. The area information is, for example, an address and afacility name. The relationship between the location information and thearea information is specified in advance as map information. The controldevice 201 identifies the area information of the reading location ofthe QR code and the area information of the authorized storage locationon the basis of the map information.

In step S218, the control device 201 calculates the distance between thereading location of the QR code and the authorized storage location.

In step S220, the control device 201, as the above-mentioned determiner252 (refer to FIG. 2), determines whether or not the distance calculatedin step S218 exceeds the predetermined threshold. If determining thatthe distance calculated in step S218 exceeds the predetermined threshold(YES in step S220), the control device 201 switches the control to stepS230. If not (NO in step S220), the control device 201 switches thecontrol to step S240.

In step S230, the control device 201 writes the determination result ofstep S220 into the database in the server 200. In other words, thecontrol device 201 writes the fact that the target item is not stored inthe authorized storage location into the database in the server 200. Atthis point in time, the item information of the target item, the areainformation identified in step S216, the distance calculated in stepS218, and the like may be written into the database.

In step S232, the control device 201, as the above-mentioned notifier254 (refer to FIG. 2), notifies the communication terminal 300 of thefact that the target item is not stored in the authorized storagelocation. Moreover, the control device 201 further notifies thecommunication terminal 300 of the item information of the target item,the area information identified in step S216, the distance calculated instep S218, and the like.

In step S240, the control device 201 writes the determination result ofstep S220 into the database in the server 200. In other words, thecontrol device 201 writes the fact that the target item is stored in theauthorized storage location into the database in the server 200. At thispoint in time, the item information of the target item, the areainformation identified in step S216, the distance calculated in stepS218, and the like may be written into the database.

In step S242, the control device 201, as the above-mentioned notifier254, notifies the communication terminal 300 of the fact that the targetitem is stored in the authorized storage location. Moreover, the controldevice 201 further notifies the communication terminal 300 of the iteminformation of the target item, the area information identified in stepS216, the distance calculated in step S218, and the like.

[The Hardware Configuration of the Management System 500]

An example of the hardware configuration of the management system 500 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a block diagramillustrating the main hardware configuration of the management system500.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the management system 500 is configuredincluding the reading terminal 100, the server 200, and thecommunication terminal 300. The reading terminal 100, the server 200,and the communication terminal 300 are connected to each other via anetwork.

The hardware configurations of the reading terminal 100, the server 200,and the communication terminal 300 are sequentially described below.

(The Hardware Configuration of the Reading Terminal 100)

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the reading terminal 100 includes the controldevice 101, a read only memory (ROM) 102, a random access memory (RAM)103, a communication interface 104, the camera 105, the GPS module 106,and a storage device 120.

The control device 101 controls the reading terminal 100. The controldevice 101 is configured of, for example, at least one integratedcircuit. The integrated circuit is configured of, for example, at leastone central processing unit (CPU), at least one application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), at least one field programmable gate array(FPGA), or a combination thereof.

The control device 101 executes various programs such as a readingprogram 122 according to the embodiment to control the operation of thereading terminal 100. The control device 101 reads the reading program122 from the storage device 120 into the ROM 102 on the basis of theacceptance of an execution command of the reading program 122. The RAM103 functions as working memory and temporarily stores various kinds ofdata necessary to execute the reading program 122.

The communication interface 104 is connected to an antenna (notillustrated) and the like. The reading terminal 100 exchanges data withexternal communication devices via the antenna. The externalcommunication devices include, for example, the server 200 and thecommunication terminal 300. The reading terminal 100 may be configuredin such a manner as to be able to download the reading program 122 fromsome other server or the like.

The camera 105 starts shooting on the basis of the start of the QR codereading application. Images obtained from the camera 105 aresequentially outputted to the control device 101. The control device 101detects a QR code in the images sequentially obtained from the camera105, decodes the QR code, and accordingly acquires item information.

The GPS module 106 receives a radio wave from each of a plurality ofsatellites via the antenna (not illustrated) of the reading terminal100. The GPS module 106 detects the current position of the readingterminal 100 on the basis of the time from when each satellite transmitsa radio wave to when the radio wave is received. The current position isexpressed in, for example, latitude and longitude.

The storage device 120 is a storage medium such as an embeddedMultiMediaCard (eMMC), or flash memory. The reading program 122according to the embodiment, and the like are stored in the storagedevice 120. The storage location of the reading program 122 is notlimited to the storage device 120, and may be stored in a storage area(for example, a cache) of the control device 101, the ROM 102, the RAM103, and the external device (for example, the server 200 or thecommunication terminal 300), or the like.

The reading program 122 may be provided not as a single program butincorporated in part of any given program. In this case, the processesaccording to the embodiment are achieved in corporation with the givenprogram. Even such a program that does not include part of modules doesnot depart from the intention of the reading program 122 according tothe embodiment. Furthermore, a part or all of the functions provided bythe reading program 122 may be achieved by dedicated hardware.Furthermore, the reading terminal 100, the server 200, and thecommunication terminal 300 may be configured in such a manner as toexecute the reading program 122 in corporation. Furthermore, the readingterminal 100 may be configured in such a form as what is called a cloudservice where at least one server executes part of the processes of thereading program 122.

(The Hardware Configuration of the Server 200)

The hardware configuration of the server 200 is described continuingreference to FIG. 9.

The server 200 includes the control device 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, acommunication interface 204, a display interface 205, an operationinterface 207, and a storage device 220.

The control device 201 controls the server 200. The control device 201is configured of, for example, at least one integrated circuit. Theintegrated circuit is configured of, for example, at least one CPU, atleast one ARC, at least one FPGA, or a combination thereof.

The control device 201 executes various programs such as a managementprogram 222 according to the embodiment to control the operation of theserver 200. The control device 201 reads the management program 222 fromthe storage device 220 into the ROM 202 on the basis of the acceptanceof an execution command of the management program 222. The RAM 203functions as working memory and temporarily stores various kinds of datanecessary to execute the management program 222.

The communication interface 204 is connected to an antenna (notillustrated) of the server 200, and the like. The server 200 exchangesdata with external communication devices via the antenna. The externalcommunication devices include, for example, the reading terminal 100,the communication terminal 300, and other communication terminals. Theserver 200 tray be configured in such a manner as to be able to downloadthe management program 222 from the communication terminal.

The display interface 205 is connected to a display 206, and transmitsan image signal for displaying an image to the display 206 at theinstruction of the control device 201 or the like. The display 206 is,for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic electro luminescence(EL) display, or other display device. When it has been determined thata target item is not stored in its authorized storage location, thedisplay 206 displays a message, an image, or the like indicating thedetermination.

The operation interface 207 is, for example, a universal serial bus(USB) terminal, and is connected to an input device 208. The operationinterface 207 accepts a signal indicating a user operation from theinput device 208. The input device 208 is, for example, a mouse, akeyboard, a touchscreen, or other device that can accept a useroperation.

The storage device 220 is a storage medium such as a hard disk orexternal storage device. The management program 222 according to theembodiment, the above-mentioned database 224 (refer to FIG. 3), and thelike are stored in the storage device 220. The storage location of themanagement program 222 and the database 224 is not limited to thestorage device 220, and may be stored in a storage area (for example, acache) of the control device 201, the ROM 202, the RAM 203, an externaldevice (for example, the reading terminal 100 or the communicationterminal 300), or the like.

The management program 222 may be provided not as a single program butincorporated as part of any given program. In this case, the processesaccording to the embodiment are achieved in corporation with the givenprogram. Even such a program that does not include part of modules doesnot depart from the intention of the management program 222 according tothe embodiment. Furthermore, a part or all of the functions provided bythe management program 222 may be achieved by dedicated hardware.Furthermore, the reading terminal 100, the server 200, and thecommunication terminal 300 may be configured in such a manner as toexecute the management program 222 in corporation. Furthermore, thereading terminal 100 may be configured in such a form as what is calleda cloud service where at least one server executes part of the processesof the management program 222.

(The Hardware Configuration of the Communication Terminal 300)

The hardware configuration of the communication terminal 300 isdescribed continuing reference to FIG. 9.

The communication terminal 300 includes a control device 301, a ROM 302,a RAM 303, a communication interface 304, the display 305, and a storagedevice 320.

The control device 301 controls the communication terminal 300. Thecontrol device 301 is configured of, for example, at least oneintegrated circuit. The integrated circuit is configured of, forexample, at least one CPU, at least one ASIC, at least one FPGA, or acombination thereof.

The control device 301 executes various programs such as a controlprogram 322 to control the communication terminal 300. The controldevice 301 reads the control program 322 from the storage device 320into the ROM 302 on the basis of the acceptance of an execution commandof the control program 322. The RAM 303 functions as working memory andtemporarily stores various kinds of data necessary to execute thecontrol program 322.

The communication interface 304 is connected to an antenna (notillustrated), and the like. The communication terminal 300 exchangesdata with external communication devices via the antenna. The externalcommunication devices include, for example, the reading terminal 100 andthe server 200. The communication terminal 300 may be configured in sucha manner as to be able to download the control program 322 from theserver via the antenna.

The display 305 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic ELdisplay, or other display device. The display 305 is laid over atouchscreen to accept various operations on the communication terminal300 by touch operation. When it has been determined that a target itemis not stored in its authorized storage location, the display 305displays a warning indicating the determination as a message, an image,or the like.

The storage device 320 is a storage medium such as an eMMC or flashmemory. As an example, the control program 322 is stored in the storagedevice 320. The storage location of the control program 322 is notlimited to the storage device 320, and may be stored in, for example, acache of the control device 301, the ROM 302, the RAM 303, or othercommunication device (for example, the reading terminal 100 and theserver 200).

[Summary]

As described above, the reading terminal 100 reads item information froma QR code attached to a target item, and identifies an authorizedstorage location of the target item. At the same time, the readingterminal 100 acquires the current position. The current position isregarded as a reading location of the QR code. The reading terminal 100transmits, to the server 200, the authorized storage location of thetarget item and the reading location of the QR code. The server 200compares the authorized storage location of the target item with thereading location of the QR code, and determines whether or not thetarget item is stored in the authorized storage location. As an example,the server 200 calculates the distance between the authorized storagelocation and the reading location and, if the distance exceeds thepredetermined threshold, determines that the target item is not storedin the authorized storage location. In this case, the server 200transmits, to the communication terminals 300 of a manager and a personin charge on a site, a warning indicating that the target item is notstored in the authorized storage location. Consequently; the manager andthe person in charge on the site can check whether or not the targetitem is stored in the authorized storage location.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the present invention is described below withreference to the drawings. In the following description, the samereference numerals are assigned to the same parts and constituentelements. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, theirdetailed descriptions are not repeated. The embodiments andmodifications described below may be selectively combined asappropriate.

[Management System 50000]

The system configuration of a management system 50000 is described withreference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating anexample of the system configuration of the management system 50000.

The management system 50000 manages an item 5100 and the like. Forexample, a product such as a mold part, a lent item, and other thingsare cited as the item 5100 targeted for management. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the management system 50000 is configured including, forexample, an input terminal 5000, a reading terminal 10000, a server20000, and communication terminals 30000.

The input terminal 5000 accepts an input of item information related tothe item 5100 targeted for management. As an example, a manager caninput an identification number of the item 5100, the date and time ofmanufacture of the item 5100, the location of manufacture of the item5100, and the like, as item information, into the input terminal 5000.When the input of the item information is completed, the input terminal5000 transmits the inputted item information to the server 20000 asillustrated in step S1.

When receiving the inputted item information from the input terminal,the server 20000 stores the item information and also encodes the iteminformation. The item information may be encoded as a two-dimensionalbarcode such as a QR code, or may be encoded as a one-dimensionalbarcode.

In the example of FIG. 10, the server 20000 encodes the inputted iteminformation as a QR code. As illustrated in step S2, the issued QR codeis transmitted to the input terminal 5000.

When receiving the QR code from the server 20000, the input terminal5000 prints out the QR code. As illustrated in step S3, the managerattaches the QR code 5200 printed out to the item 5100. The item 5100 isthen transmitted to a site (for example, a lending destination ordelivery destination).

The manager checks the state of the item 5100 regularly such as at thetime of stocktaking. More specifically, an operator on the site readsthe QR code 5200 with the reading terminal 10000. FIG. 11 is a diagramillustrating how the operator on the site reads the QR code 5200 withthe reading terminal 10000. The reading terminal 10000 is, for example,a barcode reader, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or other mobileterminal including a reading function of a QR code. As illustrated inFIG. 11, the operator on the site starts a reading application forreading a QR code. As a result, a camera 10500 (refer to FIG. 19) of thereading terminal 10000 is started. The operator on the site shoots theQR code 5200 with the camera 10500. The reading terminal 10000 detectsthe QR code 5200 from an image obtained by shooting the QR code 5200.The reading terminal 10000 decodes the detected QR code 5200 and readsthe item information related to the item 5100.

The reading terminal 10000 continues shooting even after the QR code5200 is detected. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the reading terminal 10000acquires, from the camera 10500, an image presenting part of or entireitem 5100 (hereinafter also referred to as “item image”) after thedetection of the QR code 5200. The reading terminal 10000 associates theacquired item image with the item information read from the QR code 5200to store the item image. At this point in time, it is required toassociate at least part of the item information with the item image. Asillustrated in step S4, the reading terminal 10000 then transmits theitem information and the item image to the server 20000.

When receiving the item information and the item image from the readingterminal 10000, the server 20000 associates the item image with the iteminformation and stores the item image. As illustrated in step S5, theserver 20000 then transmits the item information and the item image,which have been received from the reading terminal 10000, to thecommunication terminal 30000 of the person in charge on the site and thecommunication terminal 30000 of the manger in a remote location.Consequently, the person in charge on the site and the manager can checknot only the item information related to the item 5100 but also the itemimage. As a result, the person in charge on the site and the manager cancheck the state (for example, a flaw) of the item 5100 in more detail.

In FIG. 10, the example where the management system 50000 is configuredincluding the reading terminal 10000, the input terminal 5000, theserver 20000, and the communication terminals 30000 is described.However, the management system 50000 is simply required to include atleast the reading terminal 10000. Moreover, a part or all of thefunctions of the reading terminal 10000 may be mounted in the server20000 and the communication terminal 30000. Alternatively, a part or allof the functions of the server 20000 may be mounted in the readingterminal 10000 and the communication terminal 30000. In other words, oneof the reading terminal 10000 and the server 20000 may be configured asthe management apparatus, or the reading terminal 10000 and the server20000 may be integrally configured as the management apparatus.

Moreover, FIG. 10 illustrates the example where the management system50000 is configured including one reading terminal 10000. However, themanagement system 50000 may be configured including a plurality of thereading terminals 10000. FIG. 10 illustrates the example where themanagement system 50000 is configured including one server 20000.However, the management system 50000 may be configured including aplurality of the servers 20000. FIG. 10 illustrates the example wherethe management system 50000 is configured including a plurality of thecommunication terminals 30000. However, the management system 50000 maybe configured including one communication terminal 30000.

[The Functional Configuration of the Reading Terminal 10000]

The functions of the reading terminal 10000 are described with referenceto FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of thefunctional configuration of the reading terminal 10000.

The reading terminal 10000 includes a control device 10100 and a storagedevice 12000. The control device 10100 includes a reader 15000, a cameracontroller 15200, a comparator 15600, and a communicator 15800 as thefunctional configuration. The functional configuration illustrated inFIG. 12 is sequentially described below.

At least part of the functions of the reading terminal 10000 may bemounted in the server 20000 and the communication terminal 30000.

(Reader 15000)

The reader 15000 detects a QR code from an input image obtained byshooting an item targeted for management (hereinafter also referred toas “target item”), and decodes the encoded QR code to read iteminformation. A method for reading a QR code with the reader 15000 isdescribed below.

The QR code has a rectangular shape. Patterns for position detectioncalled finder patterns are placed at three corners of the QR code.Moreover, square cells are arranged in a grid in the QR code. Each cellis represented in black or white.

The reader 15000 detects the finder patterns of the QR code to detectthe QR code from the image on the basis of the positional relationshipof the three finder patterns. The reader 15000 converts, into numbers,the arrangement pattern of the black and white cells in the detected QRcode, and accordingly reads the item information from the QR code. Theitem information includes, for example, the identification number of theitem, the authorized storage location of the item, the date and time ofmanufacture of the item, and the location of manufacture of the item.The reading result of the reader 15000 is stored as item information12400 in the storage device 12000.

In the above description, the example where the reader 15000 reads iteminformation from a QR code is described. However, the reader 15000 mayread item information from some other two-dimensional barcode.Alternatively, the reader 15000 may read item information from aone-dimensional barcode. Alternatively, the reader 15000 may read iteminformation from a tag such as RFID.

(Camera Controller 15200)

The camera controller 15200 is described continuing reference to FIG.12. The camera controller 15200 continues shooting with the camera 10500also after the reader 15000 detects the QR code 5200. At this point intime, the reading terminal 10000 gives a notice to guide a user in sucha manner as to shoot the entire target item (or a predeterminedportion). The notice may be given by the display of a message or by theoutput of audio.

The camera controller 15200 then outputs a shooting instruction to thecamera 10500 to acquire an item image 12600 representing the targetitem. In an aspect, the camera controller 15200 executes a shootingprocess on the basis of the acceptance of the shooting instruction fromthe user after the detection of the QR code, and acquires an input imageobtained by the shooting process, as the item image 12600.

In another aspect, the camera controller 15200 detects the target itemfrom the input images sequentially obtained from the camera 10500 afterthe reader 15000 detects the QR code, and acquires the input image wherethe target item has been detected, as the item image 12600. The itemimage 12600 is automatically stored to reduce the time and trouble ofthe user.

Various methods are employed as the method for detecting a target item.As an example, a target item is detected by, for example, imageprocessing such as template matching. In this case, a template imagerepresenting a management target item is stored in advance in thereading terminal 10000. The camera controller 15200 scans the templateimage in the input image obtained from the camera 10500, and calculatesthe similarity between the template image and each area in the inputimage. As the method for calculating the similarity, for example, a sumof squared difference (SSD), a sum of absolute difference (SAD), anormalized cross-correlation (NCC), or a zero-mean normalizedcross-correlation (ZNCC) is employed. The camera controller 15200determines that the item has been detected from the input image, on thebasis of the fact that the calculated similarity has exceeded apredetermined value.

In the above description, the method where the camera controller 15200detects an item from an input image by template matching is described.However, the camera controller 15200 may detect an item using some otherimage processing technology. As an example, the camera controller 15200may detect an item using a tracking technology such as optical flow.

The camera controller 15200 stores an input image where the target itemhas been detected as the item image 12600 in the storage device 12000.The item image 12600 targeted for storage may be a still image or movingimage, or both of a still image and a moving image.

In an aspect, a still image is stored as the item image 12600. Morespecifically, after the reader 15000 detects the QR code 5200, thecamera controller 15200 causes the camera 10500 to execute a shootingprocess for acquiring a still image, on the basis of the detection ofthe target item.

In another aspect, a moving image is stored as the item image 12600.More specifically, the camera controller 15200 causes the camera 10500to start shooting for acquiring a moving image, on the basis of the factthat the reader 15000 has detected the QR code 5200. The cameracontroller 15200 then stops the shooting process of the moving image onthe basis of the fact that the target item has been detected from theinput image. In other words, the camera controller 15200 causes thecamera 10500 to execute the shooting process of the moving image duringtime from the detection of the QR code 5200 to the detection of thetarget item.

Preferably, the camera controller 15200 switches a shooting mode of thecamera 10500 between before and after the detection of the QR code 5200.FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating how the shooting mode of the camera10500 is switched between before and after the detection of the QR code5200.

The shooting mode of the camera 10500 includes a normal shooting mode(first shooting mode) and a wide-angle shooting mode (second shootingmode) with a wide shooting field of view than the normal shooting mode.As illustrated in FIG. 13, the camera controller 15200 sets the shootingmode of the camera 10500 in the normal shooting mode at the time ofshooting the QR code 5200. The camera controller 15200 switches theshooting mode of the camera 10500 from the normal shooting mode to thewide-angle shooting mode, on the basis of the detection of the QR code5200. As a result, the shooting field of view of the camera 10500becomes wider to contain the item 5100 in the shooting of the camera10500. Consequently, the user can easily shoot the entire item 5100.

The camera controller 15200 executes the acquisition process of the itemimage 12600 when the field of view of the camera 10500 includes theentire item 5100, and the field of view of the camera 10500 includes theQR code 5200, and then stores the item image 12600. In this manner, thestorage process of the item image 12600 is executed at the timing whenthe entire item 5100 is included in the field of view of the camera10500.

Preferably, the camera controller 15200 interrupts the shooting with thecamera 10500 when a target item has not been detected from an inputimage during predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) after thereader 15000 detected the QR code 5200. Alternatively, in this case, thecamera controller 15200 executes the process of outputting a warningindicating that the target item could not been detected from the inputimage. Consequently, the user can grasp that it failed to successfullyshoot the target item.

(Comparator 15600)

The comparator 15600 is described with reference again to FIG. 12. Thecomparator 15600 compares a reference image 12800 obtained by shootingin advance a target item and the item image 12600 acquired by the cameracontroller 15200, and determines whether or not the item image 12600satisfies a predetermined reference.

As an example, the comparator 15600 calculates the similarity betweenthe item image 12600 and the reference image 12800. As a method forcalculating the similarity, for example, a SSD, a SAD, a NCC, or a ZNCCis employed. The comparator 15600 determines that the item image 12600is different from the reference image 12800 if the calculated similarityis lower than a predetermined value, and outputs a warning indicatingthe determination, as a comparison result, to the communicator 15800.

The reference image 12800 may be a two-dimensional image representing atarget item, or may be a three-dimensional image representing a targetitem. For example, a computer aided design (CAD) data of a target itemis used for the reference image 12800 as a three-dimensional image.

Preferably, the comparator 15600 compares the reference image 12800 as athree-dimensional image with the item image 12600. More specifically,the comparator 15600 projects and converts a three-dimensional image togenerate a plurality of two-dimensional images representing the targetitem from different angles. The comparator 15600 compares each of theplurality of generated two-dimensional images and the item image 12600.In this manner, the item image 12600 is compared with the plurality oftwo-dimensional images representing the target item from differentangles; accordingly, the user does not need to care about the shootingangle at the time of shooting the target item.

The comparator 15600 prompts the user to shoot the target item again ifdetermining that the item image 12600 is different from the referenceimage 12800. Consequently, the reading terminal 10000 can surely enablethe user to shoot the item image 12600 similar to the reference image12800.

In the above description, the example where one item image 12600 iscompared with the reference image 12800 is described. However, thecomparator 15600 may compare each of a plurality of the item images12600 obtained by shooting a target item from different angles with thereference image 12800. In this case, the plurality of the item images12600 includes at least a first item image obtained by shooting thetarget item from a first angle and a second item image obtained byshooting the target item from a second angle. Preferably, the pluralityof the item images 12600 includes item images obtained by shooting thetarget item 360 degrees all around the target item. The comparator 15600calculates a similarity to the reference image 12800 for each of theplurality of the item images 12600. The comparator 15600 then determinesthat the item image 12600 is different from the reference image 12800 ifall the calculated similarities are lower than the predetermined value.

Moreover, if both of the item image 12600 and the reference image 12800are three-dimensional images, the comparator 15600 may compare the itemimage 12600 and the reference image 12800 by three-dimensional templatematching.

(Communicator 15800)

The communicator 15800 is described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15,continuing reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating how areading result of the reading terminal 10000 is transmitted to theserver 20000.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the communicator 15800 can communicates witha server 20000A (first communication terminal) and a server 20000B(second communication terminal). The storage capacity of the server20000B is larger than that of the server 20000A. The communicator 15800transmits, to the server 20000A, the item information 12400 read by thereader 15000. When receiving the item information 12400 from thecommunicator 15800, the server 20000A stores the item information 12400.On the other hand, the communicator 15800 transmits, to the server20000B, the item image 12600 acquired by the camera controller 15200.When receiving the item image 12600 from the communicator 15800, theserver 20000B stores the item image 12600. In this manner, the iteminformation 12400 whose data size is smaller is stored in the server20000A, and the item image 12600 whose data size is larger is stored inthe server 20000B.

Preferably, the communicator 15800 transmits, to the server 20000B, notonly the item image 12600 but also the item information 12400. Whenreceiving the item information 12400 from the reading terminal 10000,the server 20000B associates the item information 12400 with the itemimage 12600, and then writes the item information 12400 and the itemimage 12600 into a database 22400 illustrated in FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is adiagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the database22400. In the database 22400, item information and an item image areassociated with each other. The item information includes, for example,an item identification (ID), an item name, and a lot number of a targetitem. The location and date and time of manufacture of a target item,and the like are identified with the lot number.

More preferably, the communicator 15800 transmits, to the server 20000B,not only the item information 12400 and the item image 12600 but alsothe comparison result of the comparator 15600. If the comparison resultof the comparator 15600 indicates that the item image 12600 is differentfrom the reference image 12800, the communicator 15800 transmits awarning indicating the difference, as the comparison result, to theserver 20000B. When receiving the comparison result from the readingterminal 10000, the server 20000B associates the item information 12400and the item image 12600 with the comparison result, and then writes theitem information 12400, the item image 12600, and the comparison resultinto the database 22400.

[A Notification Screen of the Communication Terminal 30000]

A notification screen of the communication terminal 30000 is describedwith reference to FIGS. 16. 17A, and 17B. FIG. 16 is a diagramillustrating an example of the notification screen of the communicationterminal 30000.

The communication terminal 30000 displays a reading result of a QR codeof each item as a list 2000 on a display 30500. The list 2000 containsan item field 2100 indicating the name of a management target item, adate and time field 2200 indicating the reading date and time of thereading terminal 10000, a result field 2300 indicating a reading resultof the reading terminal 10000, and a button field 2400. The display ofthe list 2000 allows the manager or person in charge on the site toeasily grasp a reading result of a QR code of each item.

The result field 2300 presents a comparison result of theabove-mentioned comparator 15600 (refer to FIG. 12). The comparisonresult is expressed as “OK” or “NG”. If the comparison result is “OK”,it indicates that the item image 12600 is similar to the reference image12800 (refer to FIG. 12). If the comparison result is “NG”, it indicatesthat the item image 12600 is different from the reference image 12800.Preferably, the communication terminal 30000 displays an entry of thecomparison result “NG” in a different form from an entry of thecomparison result “OK”.

The manager or person in charge on the site presses any in the buttonfield 2400 of the list 2000 and accordingly can check a reading resultof the reading terminal 10000 in detail. FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagramsillustrating an example of a details screen of a reading result of thereading terminal 10000.

When, for example, checking a reading result of an item “B” whosecomparison result is “OK”, the manager presses a check button 2500. As aresult, as illustrated in FIG. 17A, a details screen of the readingresult of the item “B” is displayed on the display 30500. The detailsscreen includes an item image 3000, operating buttons 3200, and areading result 3500 of the item “B”.

The operating buttons 3200 include a play button, a stop button, a pausebutton, a fast-forward button, and a rewind button. When the play buttonis pressed, the item image 3000 as a moving image starts being playedback. The manager can check the state of the target item more accuratelyby checking the state of the target item on the moving image. When thestop button is pressed, the playback of the moving image is stopped.When the pause button is pressed, the playback of the moving image ispaused. When the fast-forward button is pressed, the playback of themoving image is fast forwarded. When the rewind button is pressed, theplayback of the moving image is rewound.

When checking a reading result of an item “C” whose comparison result is“NG”, the manager presses a check button 2600. As a result, a detailsscreen of the reading result of the item “C” is displayed on the display30500 as illustrated in FIG. 17B. The details screen includes an itemimage 4000, operating buttons 4200, and a reading result 4500 of theitem “B”. The manager can check the reason of the determination of thereading result “NG” by checking the item image 4000. In the example ofFIG. 17B, the reason of the reading result “NG” is that the entire item5100 was not shot.

[The Control Structure of the Reading Terminal 10000]

The control structure of the reading terminal 10000 is described withreference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a flowchart presenting part ofprocesses executed by the reading terminal 10000. The control device10100 (refer to FIG. 12) of the reading terminal 10000 executes aprogram to achieve the processes of FIG. 18. In another aspect, a partor all of the processes illustrated in FIG. 18 may be executed by theserver 20000, the communication terminal 30000, a circuit element, orother hardware.

In step S110, the control device 10100 determines whether or not a QRcode reading application has been started. If determining that the QRcode reading application has been started (YES in step S110), thecontrol device 10100 switches the control to step S112. If not (NO instep S110), the control device 10100 reexecutes the process of stepS110.

In step S112, the control device 10101) acquires an input image from thecamera 10500 (refer to FIG. 19) of the reading terminal 10000.

In step S120, the control device 10100, as the above-mentioned reader15000 (refer to FIG. 12), determines whether or not a QR code has beendetected from the input image acquired in step S112. If determining thata QR code has been detected from the input image acquired in step S112(YES in step S120), the control device 10100 switches the control tostep S122. If not (NO in step S120), the control device 10100 returnsthe control to step S112.

In step S122, the control device 10100, as the above-mentioned reader15000, decodes the QR code detected in step S120 to read iteminformation related to a target item.

In step S130, the control device 10100 determines whether or not theitem information could be read. If determining that the item informationcould be read (YES, in step S130), the control device 10100 switches thecontrol to step S134. If not (NO in step S130), the control device 10100switches the control to step S132.

In step S132, the control device 10100 causes the reading terminal 10000to display an error screen indicating that it failed to read the QRcode.

In step S134, the control device 10100, as the above-mentioned cameracontroller 15200 (refer to FIG. 12), starts the shooting process of amoving image.

In step S136, the control device 10100, as the above-mentioned cameracontroller 15200, acquires a new input image from the camera 10500.

In step S140, the control device 10100 determines whether or not thetarget item has been detected in the input image acquired in step S136.The target item is detected by, for example, image processing such astemplate matching. If determining that the target item has been detectedin the input image acquired in step S136 (YES in step S140), the controldevice 10100 switches the control to step S142. If not (NO in stepS140), the control device 10100 returns the control to step S136.

In step S142, the control device 10100, as the above-mentioned cameracontroller 15200, stops the shooting process of the moving image. As aresult, the item image 12600 as the moving image is obtained.

In step S144, the input image where the target item was detected in stepS140 is set as the item image 12600 as a still image.

In step S146, the control device 10100, as the above-mentionedcomparator 15600 (refer to FIG. 12), compares the reference image 12800(refer to FIG. 12) obtained by shooting the target item in advance withthe item image 12600 obtained in step S142 or step S144. As an example,the control device 10100 calculates the similarity between the itemimage 12600 and the reference image 12800 to compare the item image12600 and the reference image 12800. The process of comparing the itemimage 12600 and the reference image 12800 is as described above.Accordingly, its description is not repeated.

In step S150, the control device 10100 determines whether or not theitem image 12600 is similar to the reference image 12800. As an example,if the similarity between the item image 12600 and the reference image12800 is larger than the predetermined value, the control device 10100determines that the item image 12600 is similar to the reference image12800. If determining that the item image 12600 is similar to thereference image 12800 (YES in step S150), the control device 10100switches the control to step S152. If not (NO in step S150), the controldevice 10100 switches the control to step S154.

In step S152, the control device 10100 transmits, to the communicationterminal 30000 for the manager, the information that the result of thecomparison of the item image 12600 and the reference image 12800 is“OK”. At the same time, the control device 10100 transmits, to thecommunication terminal 30000 for the manager, the item informationobtained in step S122, the item image 12600 as the still image obtainedin step S142, and the item image 12600 as the moving image obtained instep S144. Consequently, the manager can check that the target item isstored in the authorized storage location and also can check the stateof the target item in detail.

In step S154, the control device 10100 transmits, to the communicationterminal 30000 for the manager, the information that the result of thecomparison of the item image 12600 and the reference image 12800 is“NG”. At the same time, the control device 10100 transmits, to thecommunication terminal 30000 for the manager, the item informationobtained in step S122, the item image 12600 as the still image obtainedin step S142, and the item image 12600 as the moving image obtained instep S144. The manager can check the reason why the comparison result is“NG” by checking the item images. Consequently, the manager can inquireof the person in charge on the site whether or not the target item isstored in the authorized storage location, and instruct the person incharge on the site to shoot the target item again to check the state ofthe target item.

[The Hardware Configuration of the Management System 50000]

An example of the hardware configuration of the management system 50000is described with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a block diagramillustrating the main hardware configuration of the management system50000.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, the management system 50000 is configuredincluding the reading terminal 10000, the server 20000, and thecommunication terminal 30000. The reading terminal 10000, the server20000, and the communication terminal 30000 are connected to each othervia a network.

The hardware configurations of the reading terminal 10000, the server20000, and the communication terminal 30000 are sequentially describedbelow.

[The Hardware Configuration of the Reading Terminal 10000]

As illustrated in FIG. 19, the reading terminal 10000 includes thecontrol device 10100, a read only memory (ROM) 10200, a random accessmemory (RAM) 10300, a communication interface 10400, the camera 10500, adisplay 10600, a sensor 10700, and the storage device 12000.

The control device 10100 controls the reading terminal 10000. Thecontrol device 10100 is configured of, for example, one integratedcircuit. The integrated circuit is configured of, for example, at leastone central processing unit (CPU), at least one application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), at least one field programmable gate array(FPGA), or a combination thereof.

The control device 10100 executes various programs such as a managementprogram 12200 according to the embodiment to control the operation ofthe reading terminal 10000. The control device 10100 reads themanagement program 12200 from the storage device 12000 into the ROM10200 on the basis of the acceptance of an execution command of themanagement program 12200. The RAM 10300 functions as working memory andtemporarily stores various kinds of data necessary to execute themanagement program 12200.

The communication interface 10400 is connected to an antenna (notillustrated) and the like. The reading terminal 10000 exchanges datawith external communication devices via the antenna. The externalcommunication devices include, for example, the server 20000 and thecommunication terminal 30000. The reading terminal 10000 may beconfigured in such a manner as to be able to download the managementprogram 12200 from some other server or the like.

The camera 10500 starts shooting on the basis of the start of the QRcode reading application. Images obtained from the camera 10500 aresequentially outputted to the control device 10100. The control device10100 detects a QR code in the images sequentially obtained from thecamera 10500, decodes the QR code, and accordingly acquires iteminformation.

The display 10600 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organicelectro luminescence (EL) display, or other display device. The display10600 is laid over a touchscreen to accept various operations on thereading terminal 10000 by touch operation. The display 10600 displays amessage or image for guiding a user in such a manner as to shoot theentire target item on the basis of the fact that the QR code has beendetected from the input image. When the entire target item is not shotwithin predetermined time after the detection of the QR code, thedisplay 10600 displays an error message, or the like that indicates it.

The sensor 10700 is an angle sensor for detecting the shooting angle ofthe camera 10500 (that is, the tilt of the camera 10500). The shootingangle indicates the angle between a predetermined reference plane (forexample, a horizontal plane) and the optical axis direction of thecamera 10500.

The storage device 12000 is a storage medium such as an embeddedMultiMediaCard (eMMC), or flash memory. As an example, the managementprogram 12200 according to the embodiment, the item information 12400read from the target item, the item image 12600 obtained by shooting thetarget item, the reference image 12800 obtained by shooting the targetitem in advance, and the like are stored in the storage device 12000.The storage location of the management program 12200, the iteminformation 12400, the item image 12600, and the reference image 12800is not limited to the storage device 12000, and may be a storage area(for example, cache memory) of the control device 10100, the ROM 10200,the RAM 10300, the external device (for example, the server 20000 or thecommunication terminal 30000), or the like.

The management program 12200 may be provided not as a single program butincorporated in part of any given program. In this case, the processesaccording to the embodiment are achieved in corporation with the givenprogram. Even such a program that does not include part of modules doesnot depart from the intention of the management program 12200 accordingto the embodiment. Furthermore, a part or all of the functions providedby the management program 12200 may be achieved by dedicated hardware.Furthermore, the reading terminal 10000, the server 20000, and thecommunication terminal 30000 may be configured in such a manner as toexecute the management program 12200 in corporation. Furthermore, thereading terminal 10000 may be configured in such a form as what iscalled a cloud service where at least one server executes part of theprocesses of the management program 12200

(The hardware Configuration of the Server 20000)

The hardware configuration of the server 20000 is described continuingreference to FIG. 19.

The server 20000 includes a control device 20100, a ROM 20200, a RAM20300, a communication interface 20400, a display interface 20500, anoperation interface 20700, and a storage device 22000.

The control device 20100 controls the server 20000. The control device20100 is configured of, for example, at least one integrated circuit.The integrated circuit is configured of, for example, at least one CPU,at least one ASIC, at least one FPGA, or a combination thereof.

The control device 20100 executes various programs such as a controlprogram 22200 according to the embodiment to control the operation ofthe server 20000. The control device 20100 reads the control program22200 from the storage device 22000 into the ROM 20200 on the basis ofthe acceptance of an execution command of the control program 22200. TheRAM 20300 functions as working memory and temporarily stores variouskinds of data necessary to execute the control program 22200.

The communication interface 20400 is connected to an antennaillustrated) of the server 20000, and the like. The server 20000exchanges data with external communication devices via the antenna. Theexternal communication devices include, for example, the readingterminal 10000, the communication terminal 30000, and othercommunication terminals. The server 20000 may be configured in such amanner as to be able to download the control program 22200 from thecommunication terminal.

The display interface 20500 is connected to the display 20600, andtransmits an image signal for displaying an image to the display 20600at the instruction of the control device 20100 or the like. The display20600 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display,or other display device.

The operation interface 20700 is, for example, a universal serial bus(USB) terminal, and is connected to an input device 20800. The operationinterface 20700 accepts a signal indicating a user operation from theinput device 20800. The input device 20800 is, for example, a mouse, akeyboard, a touchscreen, or other device that can accept a useroperation.

The storage device 22000 is a storage medium such as a hard disk orexternal storage device. The control program 22200 according to theembodiment, the above-mentioned database 22400 (refer to FIG. 15), andthe like are stored in the storage device 22000. The storage location ofthe control program 22200 and the database 22400 is not limited to thestorage device 22000, and may be stored in a storage area (for example,cache memory) of the control device 20100, the ROM 20200, the RAM 20300,an external device (for example, the reading terminal 10000 or thecommunication terminal 30000), or the like.

(The Hardware Configuration of the Communication Terminal 30000)

The hardware configuration of the communication terminal 30000 isdescribed continuing reference to FIG. 19.

The communication terminal 30000 includes a control device 30100, a ROM30200, a RAM 30300, a communication interface 30400, the display 30500,and a storage device 32000.

The control device 30100 controls the communication terminal 30000. Thecontrol device 30100 is configured of, for example, at least oneintegrated circuit. The integrated circuit is configured of, forexample, at least one CPU, at least one ASIC, at least one FPGA, or acombination thereof.

The control device 30100 executes various programs such as a controlprogram 32200 to control the communication terminal 30000. The controldevice 30100 reads the control program 32200 from the storage device32000 into the ROM 30200 on the basis of the acceptance of an executioncommand of the control program 32200. The RAM 30300 functions as workingmemory and temporarily stores various kinds of data necessary to executethe control program 32200.

The communication interface 30400 is connected to an antenna (notillustrated), and the like. The communication terminal 30000 exchangesdata with external communication devices via the antenna. The externalcommunication devices include, for example, the reading terminal 10000and the server 20000. The communication terminal 30000 may be configuredin such a manner as to be able to download the control program 32200from the server via the antenna.

The display 30500 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organicEL display, or other display device. The display 30500 is laid over atouchscreen to accept various operations on the communication terminal30000 by touch operation. The display 30500 displays the screenillustrated in FIG. 16, the screen illustrated in FIG. 17A or 17B, orthe like.

The storage device 32000 is a storage medium such as an eMMC or flashmemory. The control program 32200 and the like are stored in the storagedevice 32000. The storage location of the control program 32200 is notlimited to the storage device 32000, and may be stored in, for example,cache memory of the control device 30100, the ROM 30200, the RAM 30300,or other communication device (for example, the reading terminal 10000or the server 20000).

[Modifications]

In the above description, the reading terminal 10000 detects a targetitem from an input image obtained after shooting the QR code 5200 todetermine whether or not the field of view of the camera 10500 includesthe entire target item. In contrast, the reading terminal 10000according to a modification calculates a distance between the camera10500 and the target item to determine whether or not the field of viewof the camera 10500 includes the entire target item, on the basis of thedistance. The determination method is described below.

The reading terminal 10000 accepts an input of the height of the camera10500 from the ground (hereinafter also referred to as the “height ofthe camera 10500”) at the lime of shooting. As an example, the readingterminal 10000 accepts an input of the height of a user, and recognizesa result of subtracting a predetermined value from the height, as theheight of the camera 10500. On the precondition that the height of thecamera 10500 and the shooting angle are known, and the ground appears inan input image, the distance to the ground included in the field of viewof the camera 10500 can be uniquely identified for each pixel in theinput image. The reading terminal 10000 calculates the distance for agrounded portion of the target item in the input image. The calculateddistance for the grounded portion is recognized as the distance betweenthe camera 10500 and the target item (hereinafter also referred to asthe “item distance”). In this manner, the camera controller 15200calculates the item distance on the basis of the shooting angle of thecamera 10500 and the position of the target item in the input image. Thereading terminal 10000 determines that the field of view of the camera10500 includes the entire target item, on the basis of the fact that theitem distance has exceeded a predetermined value. If determining thatthe field of view of the camera 10500 includes the entire target item,the reading terminal 10000 outputs a shooting instruction to the camera10500, and acquires an image obtained by the shooting instruction fromthe camera 10500, as an item image.

Preferably, the reading terminal 10000 calculates the item distanceafter correcting (calibrating) the shooting angle detected by the sensor10700. More specifically, the reading terminal 10000 instructs the userto keep the reading terminal 10000 horizontal. Consequently, the userplaces the reading terminal 10000 in such a manner as to bring thesurface of the reading terminal 10000 into contact with a floor or thelike. The reading terminal 10000 stores a first shooting angle outputtedfrom the sensor 10700 in a horizontal attitude (first referenceattitude). Next, the reading terminal 10000 instructs the user to keepthe reading terminal 10000 vertical.

Consequently, the user places the reading terminal 10000 in such amanner as to bring the surface of the reading terminal 10000 intocontact with a vertical wall or the like. The reading terminal 10000stores a second shooting angle outputted from the sensor 10700 in avertical attitude (second reference attitude).

As described above, the shooting angle represents the angle between theground and the optical axis direction of the camera 10500. Accordingly,when the reading terminal 10000 is in the horizontal attitude, theshooting angle is 90 degrees. When the reading terminal 10000 is in thevertical attitude, the shooting angle is zero degrees. Therefore, thecamera controller 15200 corrects the shooting angle outputted from thesensor 10700 in such a manner as that the first shooting angle outputtedin the horizontal attitude is 90 degrees, and the second shooting angleoutputted in the vertical attitude is zero degrees. The cameracontroller 15200 calculates the item distance on the basis of thecorrected shooting angle and the position of the target item in theinput image obtained from the camera 10500.

Preferably, the reading terminal 10000 further calculates the actualheight of the target item from the ground by triangulation based on theitem distance, the shooting angle, and the height of the target item inthe input image. In this case, the reading terminal 10000 determinesthat the field of view of the camera 10500 includes the entire targetitem on the basis of the facts that the distance between the camera10500 and the target item has exceeded the predetermined value and thatthe actual height of the target item has exceeded a predetermined value.

[Summary]

As described above, the reading terminal 10000 detects a QR code from aninput image obtained by shooting a target item, decodes the QR code, andaccordingly acquires item information related to the target item. Thereading terminal 10000 continues shooting also after detecting the QRcode. The management system 50000 detects the target item from an inputimage obtained after detecting the QR code, and acquires the input imagewhere the target item has been detected, as an item image. The readingterminal 10000 associates the item image with the read item informationand stores the item image. The reading terminal 10000 then transmits theitem information and the item image to the communication terminal 30000for the manager via the server 20000. Consequently, the manager cancheck not only the item information read from the QR code but also theitem image. As a result, the manager can see the state of the targetitem in detail.

Moreover, if a person in charge on a site or a supplier shoots a targetitem and transmits the result to a manager, a portion where the managerdesires to check may not be shot. In this case, the manager needs tocontact the person in charge on the site or supplier to see the state ofthe target item. However, the reading terminal 10000 according to theembodiment shoots the target item automatically when the field of viewof the camera 10500 includes the entire target item (or a predeterminedportion); accordingly, the portion Where the manager desires to checkcan be reliably shot. As a result, the manager's time and trouble to askthe person in charge on the site or supplier about the state of thetarget item is reduced.

Moreover, there has been a problem on the site that a product targetedfor management is resold. In this case, the reseller peels a QR code offthe product, and transmits item information read from the QR code to themanger to pretend that the product is on hand. However, the readingterminal 10000 according to the embodiment also shoots the target itemupon reading of the QR code, and transmits, to the communicationterminal 30000 for the manager, an item image together with the iteminformation read from the QR code. The manager can check the item imageand accordingly can check that the product is stored in the managementlocation.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described andillustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by wayof illustration and example only and not limitation, the scope of thepresent invention should be interpreted by terms of the appended claims.The scope of the present invention is intended to include meaningsequivalent to the claims, and all modifications within the scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A management system comprising: a reader thatreads item information related to a target item from the target item; anidentifier that identifies an authorized storage location where thetarget item is required to be stored, on the basis of the iteminformation read by the reader; an acquisitor that acquires a readinglocation where the item information has been read; and a determiner thatcompares the authorized storage location with the reading location anddetermines whether or not the target item is stored in the authorizedstorage location.
 2. The management system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a storage that stores a database specifying item storagelocations according to item identification information, wherein the iteminformation includes identification information of the target item, andthe identifier identifies a storage location corresponding to theidentification information of the target item as the authorized storagelocation among the storage locations specified in the database.
 3. Themanagement system according to claim 1, wherein the item informationincludes location information indicating the authorized storagelocation.
 4. The management system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a notifier that notifies a communication terminal of adetermination result of the determiner.
 5. The management systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the notifier transmits the determinationresult to a plurality of different communication terminals.
 6. Themanagement system according to claim 1, wherein the determinercalculates a distance between the authorized storage location and thereading location, determines that the target item is stored in theauthorized storage location upon the distance being within apredetermined threshold, and determines that the target item is notstored in the authorized storage location upon the distance exceedingthe predetermined threshold.
 7. A management apparatus comprising: areader that reads item information related to a target item from thetarget item; an identifier that identifies an authorized storagelocation where the target item is required to be stored, on the basis ofthe item information read by the reader; an acquisitor that acquires areading location where the item information has been read; and adeterminer that compares the authorized storage location with thereading location and determines whether or not the target item is storedin the authorized storage location.
 8. A management method comprising:reading item information related to a target item from the target item;identifying an authorized storage location where the target item isrequired to be stored, on the basis of the read item information;acquiring a reading location where the item information has been read;and comparing the authorized storage location with the reading locationand determining whether or not the target item is stored in theauthorized storage location.
 9. A non-transitory recording mediumstoring a computer readable item management program, the program causinga computer to perform: reading item information related to a target itemfrom the target item; identifying an authorized storage location wherethe target item is required to be stored, on the basis of the read iteminformation; acquiring a reading location where the item information hasbeen read; and comparing the authorized storage location with thereading location and determining whether or not the target item isstored in the authorized storage location.
 10. A management systemcomprising: a camera that shoots a code where item information relatedto a target item has been encoded; a reader that detects the code froman input image obtained by shooting the code, and read the iteminformation from the code; a camera controller that acquires an itemimage representing the target item from the camera after the code isdetected; and a storage that stores the item image acquired by thecamera controller, associating the item image with the item information.11. The management system according to claim 10, wherein the cameracontroller detects the target item from input images sequentiallyobtained from the camera after the code is detected, and acquires theinput image where the target item has been detected, as the item image.12. The management system according to claim 11, wherein the cameracontroller executes at least one of a process of interrupting shootingwith the camera and a process of outputting a warning indicating that itfailed to detect the target item, upon not detecting the target item inpredetermined time after the detection of the code.
 13. The managementsystem according to claim 12, wherein the item image includes a stillimage and a moving image, and the camera controller causes the camera tostart shooting to acquire the moving image, on the basis of thedetection of the code, and causes the camera to execute a shootingprocess to acquire the still image, on the basis of the detection of thetarget item, after the detection of the code.
 14. The management systemaccording to claim 10, wherein a shooting mode of the camera includes afirst shooting mode and a second shooting mode having a wider shootingfield of view than the first shooting mode, and the camera controllerswitches the shooting mode of the camera from the first shooting mode tothe second shooting mode, on the basis of the detection of the code. 15.The management system according to claim 10, further comprising acommunicator that communicates with a first communication terminal and asecond communication terminal having a larger storage capacity than thefirst communication terminal, wherein the communicator transmits theitem information to the first communication terminal, and transmits theitem image to the second communication terminal.
 16. The managementsystem according to claim 15, further comprising a comparator thatcompares a reference image obtained by shooting the target item inadvance with the item image, wherein the communicator further transmitsa result of the comparison between the reference image and the itemimage of the comparator to the second communication terminal.
 17. Themanagement system according to claim 16, wherein the communicatortransmits a warning indicating that the item image is different from thereference image, as the comparison result, to the second communicationterminal upon the comparison result indicating that the item image isdifferent from the reference image.
 18. A management apparatuscomprising: a camera that shoots a code Where item information relatedto a target item has been encoded; a reader that detects the code froman input image obtained by shooting the code, and read the iteminformation from the code; a camera controller that acquires an itemimage representing the target item from the camera after the code isdetected; and a storage that stores the item image acquired by thecamera controller, associating the item image with the item information.19. A management method comprising: shooting, with a camera, a codewhere item information related to a target item has been encoded;detecting the code from an input image obtained by shooting the code,and reading the item information from the code; acquiring an item imagerepresenting the target item from the camera after the code is detected;and storing the item image acquired in the acquisition step in astorage, associating the item image with the item information.
 20. Anon-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable itemmanagement program, the program causing a computer to perform: shooting,with a camera, a code Where item information related to a target itemhas been encoded; detecting the code from an input image obtained byshooting the code, and reading the item information from the code;acquiring an item image representing the target item from the cameraafter the code is detected; and storing the item image acquired in theacquisition step in a storage, associating the item image with the iteminformation.